‘Golden Wonder’ to arrive at Transport Museum

'Golden Wonder' is coming to Transport Museum on August 4.

Published:13:28Tuesday 02 August 2016

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The 1984 Rover Vitesse SD1 Rally Car nicknamed ‘Golden Wonder’ - which saw huge success in the early 1980s Scottish Rally scene - will be arriving at the Grampian Transport Museum on August 4 to be displayed for the remainder of the season.

Seen most recently at the SpeedFest event, where it was driven by its original crew - driver Ken Wood and co-driver Peter Brown, Golden Wonder has an interesting local history.

Originally driven by Tony Pond in 1980, registration GJW584W, the car saw some success in the local rally scene.

At this time, Ken was driving a Triumph TR7 V8, but Austin Rover’s competition department decided to pass the Vitesse onto him in 1983 to reward his efforts and simultaneously promote SD1 sales.

Re-registered OOC272X, and with backing from Golden Wonder, Ken and Peter campaigned the car across the UK winning six events over two years culminating in winning the 1984 Scottish Rally Championship.

The GP2 Rally Rover then passed to Duncan Jaffrey of Banchory who shortened it to save weight and continued to race it.

It was discovered in poor condition by the present owner, Michael Kitt from the Isle of Man, who then restored it to its 1983 condition.

Following the interest the car generated at SpeedFest 2016, Michael offered to loan it to the Grampian Transport Museum where it will be displayed for the remainder of 2016 for those who did not get a chance to see it at the event.